The Western Minnesota Prairie Waters Region is rich in history and tradition.
Opportunities abound to experience the culture of the area. |
| Area Museums |
 Proud
of its settlement history, 13 area museums help depict the change
that has taken place since the first settlers arrived in the area.
The largest museums are Historic Chippewa City in Montevideo,
the Minnesota Machinery Museum in Hanley Falls and the Big Stone County
Museum in Ortonville. |
Additional
Information- Museum Guide |
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| Lac
qui Parle Mission |
 The
Lac qui Parle Mission historic site is northwest of Montevideo, Minn.
From Montevideo, go north on U.S. Highway 59 for 6 miles, then go
west on Chippewa County Highway 13 for 2.2 miles and turn right at
the corner; the mission is on the right. The chapel is open 8 a.m.
to 8 p.m. daily from the last Sunday in April through Labor Day. Visitors
may tour the site at any time year-round. |
Additional
Information |
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| Camp
Release |
Located on the edge
of Montevideo, just off Highway 212, the Camp Release Monument stands as a reminder of
Minnesota's early state history. The Minnesota River Valley and Montevideo played an
integral part in the United States - Dakota Conflict of 1862.
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Information |
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| Montevideo Railroad Depot |
 The Railroad
Depot -is one of the few remaining
structures built in Montevideo by the now defunct Milwaukee Road.
Built in 1901, it served as the gateway to the community in the days
when highways were little more than dirt tracks and gravel roads.
It later served as a yard office and crew locker room after passenger
trains no longer stopped in Montevideo. Located on South First Street
at Park Avenue in Montevideo. Call 320.269.6575 for information. |
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Information |
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| Stabbur |
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From Milan go 3
miles east on Highway 40, then turn and go 1 mile south and then 1/2 mile east.
612-734-4891. This traditional Norwegian Stabbur is located on the family farm of Don and
Alta Peterson.
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Information |
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| Log Cabins |
 Although the earlier settlers that
came to southwestern Minnesota built sod homes as their first residences,
the log cabin proved to be the structure that could survive the harsh
elements of Minnesota. Constructed of timber found near the
rivers, many log homes are now in the possession of local historical
societies for their safe keeping. |
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Information |
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| Lac qui Parle Village and Cemetery |
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Formerly the village and planting place of Chief Wakamane (Spirit Walker) of the Wahpeton
(People of the Leaf), Dakotas. The village numbered greater then 800 people prior to 1862.
At one time it was a thriving prairie village and between 1871 and 1884 was the county
seat of Lac qui Parle County. Remnants of the Red Ox Trail or Military Trail can be seen
along the river. A cemetery 1/2 mile west of the village has early pioneers and Civil War
veterans buried in a beautiful prairie setting. From Madison go east on Hwy. 40, 6 miles;
continue east on Co. Rd. 20, 8 miles. |
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| Red
River Ox Cart Trails |
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Remaining remnants of the Lac qui Parle to Red River Valley Trail can be found on
the virgin prairie hills in the Lac qui Parle Valley near Lac qui Parle Village.
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Information |
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| Amos Huggins Mission |
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Amos Huggins was a missionary, teacher, and
agent, commissioned by the government. His wife was school teacher Julia LaFrambol's.
He developed a school to teach the Dakota more than just agrarian methods. A blacksmith
shop was built and supplied the Dakota with provisions to plant their fields. He was
killed by a hostile band of Dakota-Sioux from the Lower Agency, in 1862. A small segment
of the military road can be viewed from this site, south on the hill overlooking the Amos
Huggins Mission Site. Location: 1/2 mile south of Lac qui Parle Village. From Madison, go
east on Hwy 40., 6 miles; continue east 8 miles on Co. Rd. 20. Go across the bridge. The
site is located on the east side of the bridge, south side of the road. |
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| Native American History Site |
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The Lac qui Parle Mission and Fort Renville site,
overlooking the Lac qui Parle Lake, offered the first intensive contact
for many Dakota Indians and European-Americans. It is where the Bible was
first translated into the Dakota language. Other notable Native American
historic sites include: Upper Sioux Agency, Ambush Park, Pejuhutazizi
Church, Woodlake Monument, Camp Release, Williamson Mission and Hazelwood
Mission. |
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Information |
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